Blogs by Sandy Robins

A study published by the ASPCA based on research done in 11 U.S. cities revealed that a history of pet abuse is one of the four most significant indicators of who is at greatest risk of becoming a domestic batterer. And further, numerous other studies have reported that between 18 and 48 percent of battered women, and their children, delay leaving abusive situations in fear for what might happen to their animals.

That’s why the opening of a dog park in a New York shelter for victims

Singles Awareness Day is coming up and Samantha Daniels a professional matchmaker and dating expert created a four-step guide to finding that special someone for single pet parents and pet lovers this February to co-incide with Petco's National Adoption event coming up this weekend.

Step One: Get Out There
Pets encourage people to get out and get active, and whether it’s taking a dog for a walk or a shopping trip to pick up pet products, sharing a common love of animals can

Before this year’s team of rookie shelter pups hit the field for Animal Planet’s PUPPY BOWL X, the coaches enlisted a top-notch and very special training staff to get the puppies motivated and ready for the big game – First Lady Michelle Obama and America’s top dogs, Bo and Sunny. Joined by 12 first-and second-grade students from Harriet Tubman Elementary School, the First Lady,

There’s been a lot in the news lately about fake service dogs – people taking their dogs places and claiming that they need emotional support from their canine, when, in fact, they just want to take their pooch with them wherever they go!
There is just one word for this – deplorable!
The people it hurts the most are those that have and need real, trained service dogs!
First off, a real service dog is a highly trained animal. From puppyhood, these dogs are taught amazing

I love service dogs who devote their time working for children's causes.

The first time I met Surf Dog Ricochet was on the red carpet at the American Humane Society's Hero Dog Awards a couple of years ago. She was wearing an evening gown with a long string of pearls ( see photograph below).This stylish gown was a far cry from her usual outfit, namely a pink life jacket and her favorite accessory, her surf board.

I was interested to learn from a new survey published by TripAdvisor that less people are planning to travel with their pets.

The reasons cited were:

With less pets vacationing with their owners in the coming year, respondents cited the top reasons for leaving their four-legged companions at home:
1. It’s difficult to find a pet-friendly accommodation – 51%
2. It’s a hassle to take a pet on vacation – 46%
3. It can be expensive taking a

July is National Dog House Repairs Month. And while I firmly believe that dogs should be inside and sleeping on your bed, I have to accept that there arte dogs that still have dog houses. Therefore its up to pet owners to ensure that they are always in tip-top condition

An outdoor doghouse – should be just that – a house that offers a dog a place to retreat from very hot summer weather and also a place that offers protection from rain and icy cold conditions.

I have been researching dog and cat intelligence for an article that I am currently working on and it is truly a fascinating topic.

The way to gauge canine intelligence is by how a dog performs and learns different behaviors. I discovered that American psychologist Edwin Thorndike was the first person in the early 1900s to test this animal behavior theory to learn more about both feline and canine intelligence. He created special puzzles boxes from which his subjects has to figure

A couple of month ago I was out walking in my neighborhood and I met up with my neighbor Derek who was out walking a cute bouncy puppy. We stopped to chat and he introduced me to the new canine love of his life named Dani. She is a Queensland Heeler mix (aka Blue Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog). He adopted her from a farm litter in San Luis Obispo County when she was only 9 weeks old. .
She has a truly infectious smile and a lovely nature.

I don’t often write about books in my blogs simply because I don’t have the time to read them all. And you know the saying -- don’t judge a book by its cover. Well occasionally a book cover does catch my eye and the content does in fact live up to expectation.

The haunting photograph on the cover of a book called Dogs with No Names prompted me to peek within and I am very glad I did.
The book is the work of Canadian veterinarian Dr. Judith Samson-French, and tells of her story